Gov. Rick Scott has released the following statement regarding the appointment of General Craig McKinley, a Jacksonville native, to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It is an honor to congratulate General McKinley on his appointment to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Scott stated in a release. It is perfectly fitting that the National Guards first member of this esteemed military body is a native Floridian.

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, questioned plans announced Thursday by President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to guide the Pentagon through coming years of reducing in the size of the military.

Amtrak wants Florida to provide some liability protection before returning passenger rail service to the Florida East Coast railroad tracks, TCPalm.com reports.

Telemarketers continue to be among the most irksome among Floridians as consumer complaints grew 9 percent in 2011 from the year before. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported that complaints about the Do Not Call list and telemarketing topped the annual top 10 consumer complaint list for the third consecutive year.

While most eyes are on the battle for the Republican presidential nomination and the upcoming session of the Florida Legislature which opens next week, the team behind U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, who is running for the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, continues to plan ahead for their campaign. Jeff Cohen, Macks campaign manager, sent out a memo on Thursday to key supporters arguing that his candidate had great momentum in the race.

Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, and Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach, have introduced legislation that would give Florida citizens the ability to veto some legislation shortly after it's approved. Like many states, Florida should afford its citizens the opportunity to reject legislation that they deem detrimental to the state, Steinberg stated in a release. In a democracy, it is the citizens who should have the final word on whether to accept or reject a law.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, issued the following statement regarding Defense Secretary Leon Panettas defense budget announcement:

Former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorums strong showing in Iowa -- where he finished eight votes behind former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts -- has vaulted from dark-horse candidate into the national spotlight and propelled him in a national poll released on Thursday.

While she may not be running for president, former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska is staying in the spotlight even as the various Republican presidential hopefuls continue to battle for the GOP presidential nomination. On Thursday, the iconic American Conservative Union announced that Palin will offer a keynote address at the Conservative Political Action Conference event that will be held in Washington, D.C., from Feb. 9-11.

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas received some heat for heading home to the Lone Star State in the last weekend before the Iowa caucus. While Paul took third, he lost out to Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

Construction industry representatives called on state lawmakers Thursday to back the destination gaming bill when it comes up for a first vote next week. This legislation will create tens of thousands of jobs in Florida, boosting an ailing construction industry with thousands of qualified, but out-of-work workers," said Carol Bowen, vice president of government affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter, during a media conference at Workforce Plus in Tallahassee.

While Mitt Romney may have beaten Rick Santorum by 8 votes, Paddy Power, the largest oddsmaker in Ireland, is giving refunds to those who thought the former Pennsylvania senator would win in Iowa. On Wednesday, a day after Romney beat Santorum by 8 votes in the Hawkeye State, Paddy Power issued $6,422 in refunds. Having lost by only 8 votes the Rick Santorum supporters had every reason to be disappointed, but as far as were concerned the margin for error is just too small and weve decided to refund the money, said a spokesman for Paddy Power on Thursday.

As the days tick down until Tuesday when New Hampshire voters hold the first presidential primary, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts continues to lead in the Granite State.

Issuing an executive order, the Obama administration on Thursday announced a "Summer Jobs+" program that it says will "provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth in the summer of 2012." In a statement, the White House said, "The president proposed $1.5 billion for high-impact summer jobs and year-round employment for low-income youth ages 16-24 in the American Jobs Act as part of the Pathways Back to Work fund.

Gov. Rick Scott is using his Facebook page to find business success stories in Florida.